Kirby Smart's pay boosted to $1.15 million

Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, shown during spring football practice Tuesday, will get a boost in salary to $1.15 million.

Staff photo | Dusty Compton

By Chase GoodbreadSports Writer

Published: Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at 11:42 p.m.

TUSCALOOSA | In decades ahead, Kirby Smart will be the answer to the trivia question: Who was the first coordinator to earn a million dollars a year at the University of Alabama?

The UA board of trustees compensation committee approved new initial contracts, extensions and amendments for the football coaching staff Tuesday, highlighted by a watershed raise for the Crimson Tide's defensive coordinator to $1.15 million. In 2014 and 2015, Smart will earn $1.35 million.

UA coach Nick Saban's contract was amended to include a bonus structure for the new BCS playoff system. The four-team playoff, set to launch with the 2014 season, will feature two semifinal games, with the winners playing for the BCS title.

Saban will receive $200,000 for making a semifinal game, $300,000 for winning a semifinal and $400,000 for winning the national championship.

New athletic director Bill Battle had his initial contract approved at $620,000 per year on a four-year agreement.

Other contracts for the football staff were as follows: Offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier received a raise from $590,000 to $680,000, with his contract extended through 2015. New offensive line coach Mario Cristobal's initial salary was approved at $475,000. Linebackers coach Lance Thompson received a raise from $375,000 to $400,000, while special teams coach Bobby Williams' pay was increased from $350,000 to $400,000. New defensive backs coach Greg Brown will earn $300,000 per year on a two-year contract, while new wide receivers coach Billy Napier will earn $300,000 in the first of two years, with a built-in raise to $325,000 in the second year.

Alabama agreed to pay a $75,000 buyout of Napier's contract to his former employer, Florida State.

Defensive line coach Chris Rumph's salary was increased from $310,000 to $360,000, while seventh-year running backs coach Burton Burns received a raise from $290,000 to $315,000.

Strength coach Scott Cochran will earn $350,000, a raise of $25,000. New director of player personnel Kevin Steele received an initial contract of two years at $200,000 per year.

<p>TUSCALOOSA | In decades ahead, Kirby Smart will be the answer to the trivia question: Who was the first coordinator to earn a million dollars a year at the University of Alabama?</p><p>The UA board of trustees compensation committee approved new initial contracts, extensions and amendments for the football coaching staff Tuesday, highlighted by a watershed raise for the Crimson Tide's defensive coordinator to $1.15 million. In 2014 and 2015, Smart will earn $1.35 million.</p><p>UA coach Nick Saban's contract was amended to include a bonus structure for the new BCS playoff system. The four-team playoff, set to launch with the 2014 season, will feature two semifinal games, with the winners playing for the BCS title.</p><p>Saban will receive $200,000 for making a semifinal game, $300,000 for winning a semifinal and $400,000 for winning the national championship.</p><p>New athletic director Bill Battle had his initial contract approved at $620,000 per year on a four-year agreement.</p><p>Other contracts for the football staff were as follows: Offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier received a raise from $590,000 to $680,000, with his contract extended through 2015. New offensive line coach Mario Cristobal's initial salary was approved at $475,000. Linebackers coach Lance Thompson received a raise from $375,000 to $400,000, while special teams coach Bobby Williams' pay was increased from $350,000 to $400,000. New defensive backs coach Greg Brown will earn $300,000 per year on a two-year contract, while new wide receivers coach Billy Napier will earn $300,000 in the first of two years, with a built-in raise to $325,000 in the second year.</p><p>Alabama agreed to pay a $75,000 buyout of Napier's contract to his former employer, Florida State.</p><p>Defensive line coach Chris Rumph's salary was increased from $310,000 to $360,000, while seventh-year running backs coach Burton Burns received a raise from $290,000 to $315,000. </p><p>Strength coach Scott Cochran will earn $350,000, a raise of $25,000. New director of player personnel Kevin Steele received an initial contract of two years at $200,000 per year.</p><p>Reach Chase Goodbread at chase@tidesports.com or at 205-722-0196.</p>